It is Who We are!
It was May 8, 2011. Mother's day. But in Cairo, Egypt, the atmosphere was far
from peaceful and loving!
It all started with an attack against the Virgin Mary Church, followed by
firebombs thrown at a Christian-owned apartment complex. Rumors had it that the
Christian wife of a Muslim man had been kidnapped by the church.
Hours later, hundreds of Muslims and Christians were hurling stones at one
another in downtown Cairo. It's true that the Coptic Christian protesters had
been attacked during their march, however their retaliation was merciless. One
of them was caught on TV holding a large wooden cross in one hand and flinging a
rock with the other.
I shuddered when I heard this news. I shuddered because it could have been me in
that crowd! How many times don't I lose my temper when things aren't going my
way? How often don't I avoid people who have hurt me deeply? Haven't there even
been times when I have been tempted to use my fists?
It's then that I realized that the apostle Paul knew something that we often
don't see. And he did everything he could to enlighten us:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our
eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV)
That's easy enough to say! After all, was the apostle Paul
even attacked as viciously
as I have been? He most certainly couldn't understand what I've had to go
through! It's insane! I have rights too, you know!
Let's see if the apostle Paul concurs:
"I have … been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been
exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty
lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three
times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been
constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from
bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in
the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false
brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have
known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and
naked." (2 Cor 11:23-27 NIV)
Maybe, just maybe, the apostle Paul had a rougher time than most of us will ever
experience. Still he never seemed "to loose heart"! Maybe he remembered what
Jesus told His disciples: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may
have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world." (John 16:33 NIV)
We can have peace, inner peace even amidst trouble! Even Jesus tells us to "Take
heart!"
But how can we do this?
Paul's secret was simple: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what
is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor
4:18 NIV)
This is what filled Paul with adrenaline. This is what gave him courage to face
what came his way. This is why he was left undaunted by false accusations. He
had his eyes set on the eternal!
In life we have two choices. Jesus' offer makes us truly alive. Naturally that
can only come when we fix our eyes on the unseen. Otherwise we end up with the
other option:
"The thief (the evil one) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come
that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
Jesus is the opposite of destruction, hate and retaliation. He is life, and he
brought life to our planet by being rejected, mocked, beaten beyond recognition,
and crucified mercilessly.
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the
darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:4-5 NIV)
Why did he do this? "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain
in my love." (John 15:9 NIV)
Love drove Him. Love should drive us as well!
But how?
"If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matt
5:39 NIV)
That's impossible! Others will take advantage of us!
Is it possible that we are holding too tightly on what is not the unseen? Have we
truly denied ourselves to follow the One called Christ?
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and
follow me." (Matt 16:24 NIV)
Forgiveness can only occur if our "I" has been replaced by focusing on the eternal.
Only then can we "forgive unconditionally" (Matt 18:35 The Message). Only then
will we "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be
sons of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:44-45 NIV)
Just like Jesus, we all have a story to share: "I came into the world, to
testify to the truth." (John 18:37 NIV)
That's who we are!
What will our story be? Will we bring life or devastation?
It's not too late to change tracks. The Eternal One can help us focus in the
right direction.
Hmmm… What am I doing with a cross in one hand and a stone in the other? The
stone feels so satisfying…
But does it really?
Rob Chaffart